The Cleveland Cavaliers reworked their entire roster in a period of a few hours on Thursday during the NBA trade deadline. The team traded away all their veteran guards, by sending Dwyane Wade to the Miami Heat, Isaiah Thomas to the Los Angeles Lakers, Iman Shumpert to the Sacramento Kings and Derrick Rose to the Utah Jazz. They also rid themselves of center Channing Frye, who also went to the Los Angeles Lakers and forward Jae Crowder, who went to Utah.
As a result, the Cavaliers are looking needing big production from Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson, unless they get someone big soon. From the sound of it, the fact the Cavaliers freed up two roster spots clears room for Cleveland to sign a center when the buyout season gets underway following a day of blockbuster trades.
The current Cavaliers frontcourt
The Cleveland Cavaliers have nothing to worry about when it comes to their small forward position, as they have LeBron James - the best player in the NBA. They also have a true superstar in Kevin Love, although he is injured until close to the start of the playoffs.
With Crowder and Frye gone, Jeff Green and newcomer Larry Nance Jr.
At center, the Cavaliers have Tristan Thompson at center with Ante Zizic as his backup. Zizic has only played in 12 games this season and has logged a total of one minute in 2018. That leaves giant holes in the frontcourt, and while the backcourt is redesigned, Cleveland needs help in the paint, and they need a center.
Who could Cavaliers sign after the buyout?
There are some big names that NBA teams will likely buy out of their contracts now that the NBA trade deadline has passed. There are some that the Cavaliers are rumored to want to sign. The names on the list include some big centers, an area that the Cleveland Cavaliers need all the help they can get at.
The names rumored right now are Brook Lopez, Tyson Chandler, Narlens Noel, and amazingly enough, currently unsigned veteran Kendrick Perkins.
It looked like the Los Angeles Lakers were trying to shop around Brook Lopez, but never found a buyer. If they decide to buyout his contract, he could be a nice addition in Cleveland to back up and possibly challenge Tristan Thompson for the starting role.
Tyson Chandler is dealing with injuries right now with the Phoenix Suns, and it is unlikely the Cleveland Cavaliers want to add another injured player after the Isaiah Thomas debacle. Narlens Noel plays for the last-place Dallas Mavericks and is only averaging 4.1 rebounds and four points a game. As for Kendrick Perkins, he hasn't been a realistic option since his Oklahoma City Thunder days.
The Cleveland Cavaliers need help at center and the answer might not be out there, but expect them to sign someone when the buyouts start.